President Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court during a prime-time address from the White House.
USA TODAY

Montana officials served up a smorgasbord of opinions about President Donald J. Trump nominating Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Trump made the announcement Monday evening.

"Our fundamental rights as Americans are at stake, from access to basic health care and a woman's right to choose to voting rights, workers' rights and marriage equality,” Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock said. “It is incumbent upon Congress - both Republicans and Democrats - to ensure any Supreme Court nominee respects the rights of Americans and rejects activists' invitations to tinker with settled law."

State Attorney General Tim Fox, a Republican, praised the president’s nominee.

“President Trump made an excellent decision,” Fox stated. “Judge Kavanaugh is a brilliant jurist with a proven record of objectively interpreting laws and the Constitution. I urge the United States Senate to give this nomination adequate consideration, followed by swift confirmation.”

GOP Rep. Greg Gianforte said he supported the president's decision.

“President Trump has again nominated a constitutional conservative who will interpret our laws, not make laws from the bench," he said. "Given his background and record, I am confident Judge Kavanaugh will make an extraordinary justice who will adhere to America’s constitutional principles and protect our freedoms."

"The Senate should quickly confirm President Trump’s well-qualified nominee to the Supreme Court,” he said.

Kathleen Williams, the Democrat running against Gianforte, said "I hope the Senate will take the time to adequately vet this nominee."

"Montana women do not want Washington politicians coming between them and their doctor," she said. "In Congress I will fight for Montana women and their right to make their own health care decisions."

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican, noted Kavanaugh's history on the bench.

“As a United States Senator, confirming a Supreme Court justice is one of the most consequential votes I will take,” said Daines. “Brett Kavanaugh has an impressive background and excellent experience."

"I look forward to meeting with the nominee and reviewing their judicial record to ensure we are putting the most qualified justice on the highest court to defend the United States Constitution,” he said.

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester said he would meet with Kavanaugh soon.

“I take my constitutional duty to screen the president’s nominees very seriously, and in the coming weeks I look forward to meeting with Judge Kavanaugh,” Tester said. “Montanans have a lot on the line with this next Supreme Court Justice so I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put politics aside and do what’s best for this nation.”

State Auditor Matt Rosendale, who is the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in the Nov. 6 election, supported the president's decision.

"President Trump is absolutely right – Brett Kavanaugh is one of the most qualified nominees to the Supreme Court, with a proven record of upholding our Constitution and following the rule of law," he said.

Americans for Prosperity-Montana, a libertarian/conservative political advocacy group, also supported the president's decision.

“First Justice Gorsuch, now Brett Kavanaugh – the president has kept his promise to nominate jurists who will faithfully protect the fundamental freedoms enshrined in our Constitution," Montana State Director David Herbst said.

Judge Kavanaugh’s record indicates he will interpret the Constitution as written and will not legislate from the bench. AFP-MT urges Senator Tester to put partisan politics aside and vote to confirm this eminently qualified jurist.”

Kavanaugh, 53, has been nominated to fill the seat vacated by Justice Anthony Kennedy, 81, who is stepping down from the court.

He has been a judge on the federal appeals court in Washington since 2006. He also was a key aide to Kenneth Starr during the investigation of President Bill Clinton. Kavanaugh also worked in the White House during George W. Bush's presidency.

This is the second Supreme Court seat the president has had to fill. Last year, he nominated Neil Gorsuch, who won confirmation.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. Reach Phil Drake at 406-422-0772 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com